Theodore Roosevelt Born: October 27, 1858 in New York, New York Died: January 6, 1919 in Oyster Bay, New York Term: September 14, 1901 to March 3, 1909 Vice President: Charles Warren Fairbanks (1905-1909) -Didn’t have Vice President first term because he had been the Vice President and was replacing McKinley who had been assassinated Political Party: Republican (During Presidency)
Theodore Roosevelt entered his Presidency under pretty unique circumstances. After taking the place of McKinley he was slow to start, accomplishing very little in his first year as President, but soon gained momentum and plunged forward. Overall Roosevelt took many steps in improving America. Not only was he a Trust-Buster but he also increased American Imperialism and encouraged Conservation throughout the world. Because America came out of Roosevelt’s Presidency a better nation he should receive the grade of a B.
Roosevelt entered the office of President with many goals. The main goals he had were to increase American Imperialism, destroy some of the many trust systems in American and conserve nature. Because of the aggressive way he ruled the nation he was able to succeed in all his goals at least to a certain extent. With the help of the Roosevelt Corollary and Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy he was able to increase Imperialism. The Corollary was an extension to the Monroe Doctrine that stated it was America’s right and responsibility to intervene in Latin America to ‘maintain stability.’ In other words he wanted America to intervene to stop intervention from other nations, thus keeping strictly American influence in Latin America. Another way in which he encouraged the growth of Imperialism was his actions involving the Panama Canal. After Secretary of State John Hay negotiated purchase with Panama Columbia, the ruling nation of Panama, rejected the offer. In response Panama revolted and with the help of the United States gained their Independence once again increasing American influence in the Latin American region. He completed his next goal with the help of Congress. Although he didn’t bust more trusts then some of the other Presidents he is still well known for his work in the area. Roosevelt passed several bills, namely the Elkins and Hepburn Acts that led to the destruction of some of the trusts in America. His final goal, conservation, he completed with flying colors. Throughout his Presidency Roosevelt established the first wildlife refuge, reserved 125 million acres in national forests, reserved 68 million acres of coal lands and dedicated America’s first national monument. With the aid of the Reclamation Act of 1902 Roosevelt also helped fund dams in western United States that helped irrigate the dry lands of the area. Overall Roosevelt did an excellent job in accomplishing the goals he set for himself.
Roosevelt had a very beneficial, at least to America, relationship with Congress. Despite the fact that he thought the executive office should rank significantly above that of Congress they were able to accomplish quite a lot. Some of the major acts passed are mentioned above: Elkins Act, Hepburn Act, Reclamation Act, etc. While these are probably the most important acts passed during the Presidency they aren’t the only ones. After Upton Sinclair’s book The Jungle was published in 1902 Congress and Roosevelt passed the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. The book had brought realization to the extremely unsanitary conditions of certain factories in America and the Acts worked to provide government inspection. The hope was the companies would thus strive harder to become more sanitary and healthy. Overall Congress and Roosevelt worked well together but because of his personality Roosevelt out shown them in most situations.
The most positive actions taken by Roosevelt and his administration are those surrounding the Panama Canal. Granted the situation could possibly have been handled better but through it America gained immense power. Not only had they gained even more influence in Latin America but American military might also increased immensely. Because of the Canal America could move its Navy much quicker and thus respond in emergency situations with great hast. If they needed to go west in the past the Navy would have had to sail all the way around South America. Overall the gains for America in this situation are monumental.
The most negative aspect of Roosevelt’s Presidency was the Panic of 1907. While the Panic was not really the fault of Roosevelt many people at the time saw him as responsible because of his antitrust ways. They figured that because Roosevelt had moved against the trusts that he had limited corporate profits and thus made them go out of business. Roosevelt in turn blamed the trusts for the economic hardships. Hoping to stop the decline in the economy Roosevelt made promises to some big businesses in America, namely the U.S. Steel Company. His promise mostly stated that the United States government wouldn’t bring antitrust action against the company. By this he was hoping to ensure that the company would continue to grow and hopefully the American economy would go with it. Luckily for America the Panic didn’t last long as recovery began in early 1908.
The most lasting affect Roosevelt has on America were him Imperialistic gains. Although Presidents that came after him tried to slow or stop American Imperialism America would forever more be an Imperialist Power in the world. Other nations were once again gaining respect for America. Even when America entered times of extreme isolation the world knew that America could at any moment reemerge as the imperialist power they had shown themselves to be. It is definitely one of the more lasting effects of Presidents throughout history because it shapes foreign policy to this day.
Though they didn’t fall under any of the sections outlined above Roosevelt had to other successful ventures in his Presidency. The first was his Russo-Japanese War Mediation. With Roosevelt’s help Russia and Japan were able to create peace with the Treaty of Portsmouth. The two nations had been fighting for control of Manchuria and Korea. Because of the way he negotiated peace Roosevelt was awarded Nobel Peace Prize. His second successful venture was the Gentlemen’s Agreement. Hostility had been growing in California against the immigrants of Japan. In private Roosevelt reached an agreement with officials from Japan. The agreement stated that if Japan curbed the flow of immigration into America the United States wouldn’t enact an exclusion law like they had done to China.
In conclusion Roosevelt’s Presidency was extremely successful. He furthered the cause of America as very few Presidents had done before him and would do after him. It is only because of the few mistakes during the Presidency, namely the Panic of 1907 that Roosevelt shouldn’t receive the highest grade possible. Even so he should be awarded with a high grade and that is why a B is an extremely fitting grade.
Born: October 27, 1858 in New York, New York
Died: January 6, 1919 in Oyster Bay, New York
Term: September 14, 1901 to March 3, 1909
Vice President: Charles Warren Fairbanks (1905-1909)
-Didn’t have Vice President first term because he had been the Vice President and was replacing McKinley who had been assassinated
Political Party: Republican (During Presidency)
Theodore Roosevelt entered his Presidency under pretty unique circumstances. After taking the place of McKinley he was slow to start, accomplishing very little in his first year as President, but soon gained momentum and plunged forward. Overall Roosevelt took many steps in improving America. Not only was he a Trust-Buster but he also increased American Imperialism and encouraged Conservation throughout the world. Because America came out of Roosevelt’s Presidency a better nation he should receive the grade of a B.
Roosevelt entered the office of President with many goals. The main goals he had were to increase American Imperialism, destroy some of the many trust systems in American and conserve nature. Because of the aggressive way he ruled the nation he was able to succeed in all his goals at least to a certain extent. With the help of the Roosevelt Corollary and Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy he was able to increase Imperialism. The Corollary was an extension to the Monroe Doctrine that stated it was America’s right and responsibility to intervene in Latin America to ‘maintain stability.’ In other words he wanted America to intervene to stop intervention from other nations, thus keeping strictly American influence in Latin America. Another way in which he encouraged the growth of Imperialism was his actions involving the Panama Canal. After Secretary of State John Hay negotiated purchase with Panama Columbia, the ruling nation of Panama, rejected the offer. In response Panama revolted and with the help of the United States gained their Independence once again increasing American influence in the Latin American region. He completed his next goal with the help of Congress. Although he didn’t bust more trusts then some of the other Presidents he is still well known for his work in the area. Roosevelt passed several bills, namely the Elkins and Hepburn Acts that led to the destruction of some of the trusts in America. His final goal, conservation, he completed with flying colors. Throughout his Presidency Roosevelt established the first wildlife refuge, reserved 125 million acres in national forests, reserved 68 million acres of coal lands and dedicated America’s first national monument. With the aid of the Reclamation Act of 1902 Roosevelt also helped fund dams in western United States that helped irrigate the dry lands of the area. Overall Roosevelt did an excellent job in accomplishing the goals he set for himself.
Roosevelt had a very beneficial, at least to America, relationship with Congress. Despite the fact that he thought the executive office should rank significantly above that of Congress they were able to accomplish quite a lot. Some of the major acts passed are mentioned above: Elkins Act, Hepburn Act, Reclamation Act, etc. While these are probably the most important acts passed during the Presidency they aren’t the only ones. After Upton Sinclair’s book The Jungle was published in 1902 Congress and Roosevelt passed the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. The book had brought realization to the extremely unsanitary conditions of certain factories in America and the Acts worked to provide government inspection. The hope was the companies would thus strive harder to become more sanitary and healthy. Overall Congress and Roosevelt worked well together but because of his personality Roosevelt out shown them in most situations.
The most positive actions taken by Roosevelt and his administration are those surrounding the Panama Canal. Granted the situation could possibly have been handled better but through it America gained immense power. Not only had they gained even more influence in Latin America but American military might also increased immensely. Because of the Canal America could move its Navy much quicker and thus respond in emergency situations with great hast. If they needed to go west in the past the Navy would have had to sail all the way around South America. Overall the gains for America in this situation are monumental.
The most negative aspect of Roosevelt’s Presidency was the Panic of 1907. While the Panic was not really the fault of Roosevelt many people at the time saw him as responsible because of his antitrust ways. They figured that because Roosevelt had moved against the trusts that he had limited corporate profits and thus made them go out of business. Roosevelt in turn blamed the trusts for the economic hardships. Hoping to stop the decline in the economy Roosevelt made promises to some big businesses in America, namely the U.S. Steel Company. His promise mostly stated that the United States government wouldn’t bring antitrust action against the company. By this he was hoping to ensure that the company would continue to grow and hopefully the American economy would go with it. Luckily for America the Panic didn’t last long as recovery began in early 1908.
The most lasting affect Roosevelt has on America were him Imperialistic gains. Although Presidents that came after him tried to slow or stop American Imperialism America would forever more be an Imperialist Power in the world. Other nations were once again gaining respect for America. Even when America entered times of extreme isolation the world knew that America could at any moment reemerge as the imperialist power they had shown themselves to be. It is definitely one of the more lasting effects of Presidents throughout history because it shapes foreign policy to this day.
Though they didn’t fall under any of the sections outlined above Roosevelt had to other successful ventures in his Presidency. The first was his Russo-Japanese War Mediation. With Roosevelt’s help Russia and Japan were able to create peace with the Treaty of Portsmouth. The two nations had been fighting for control of Manchuria and Korea. Because of the way he negotiated peace Roosevelt was awarded Nobel Peace Prize. His second successful venture was the Gentlemen’s Agreement. Hostility had been growing in California against the immigrants of Japan. In private Roosevelt reached an agreement with officials from Japan. The agreement stated that if Japan curbed the flow of immigration into America the United States wouldn’t enact an exclusion law like they had done to China.
In conclusion Roosevelt’s Presidency was extremely successful. He furthered the cause of America as very few Presidents had done before him and would do after him. It is only because of the few mistakes during the Presidency, namely the Panic of 1907 that Roosevelt shouldn’t receive the highest grade possible. Even so he should be awarded with a high grade and that is why a B is an extremely fitting grade.
Sources:
"Theodore Roosevelt." POTUS. Web. 24 Sep 2009. <http://www.potus.com/troosevelt.html>.
William A. Degregorio, . The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents. 6th Edition. Fort Lee: Barricade Books Inc., 2005. Print.